Snatch-block



(No Model.) Q

T. R. FERRALL. SNATGH BLOCK. No. 264,143. Patented Sept. 12, 1882.

' %MWW JJM 23w M 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS E. FERRALL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SNATCH-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 264,143, dated September 12, 1882. Application filed July 3, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS E. FERRALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suflolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Snatch-Blockspand I do hereby declare that the same are fully described in the following specification and Hills trated in the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in snatch-blocks; and it is carried out as follows,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a side view showing the block in a locked position. Fig. 2 represents a side View showing the block as unlocked, in aposition for receiving the rope; and Fig. 3 represents a central. longitudinal section on the line A B shown in Fig. 1.

Similar letters refer to similar parts wherever they occur on the different parts of the drawings.

a and 11 represent the sides of the block, and 0 represents the lower connecting-piece between said sides, as usual.

d is the hook, as usual, having its shank secured to and made to swivel in the head at, one endof which is journaled to the metal eye 0, which is extended downward on the outside and inside of the block-piece a as an inside strap, 6, and outside strap, 6, as shown in the drawings. To the opposite end of the head d is secured or made in one piece with it the hook or catch (1", the lower end of which is adapted to hook and lock into the eyefin the upper end of the block-piece b, the latter being made somewhat shorter than the opposite side piece, a, so as to allow the rope to be placed on the sheave y when the hooks d d are turned to the position shown in Fig. 2. The eyefforms the upper termination of the outside and inside straps, ff, which latter pass downward on the outside and inside of the shorter block-piece b, as shown.

' his a bolt or rivet passingthrough the lower ends ofthe straps ef, side pieces, a b, and middle piece, 0, by which arrangement all the said parts are firmly secured together, as shown.

g is the spindle, on which the sheave 9 revolves loosely, said spindle passing through the sides a b, as well as the outside and inside straps, e clff, and is riveted in its outer ends.

In snatch-blocks heretofore made a hinged link has been used to close the block when in use; but such link is objectionable on account ofits liability to he accidentally left open when the block is in use, and thus cause the block to break by the strain of the rope thereon; and this is entirely avoided with my invention, for should the block be left open it will be automatically closed by the tension of the rope thereon, and remain in such locked position until unlocked by the operator in charge.

It will be seen by reference to the drawings that, as the hooks d d are rigidly attached to each other and in a line with each other and adapted to swing together on a common fulcrum, the block cannot remain open when the rope is in it and a tension brought to bear on the rope and a strain on the upper hook, (I, but is instantly and automatically closed the moment a strain is brought to bear on the hook 01, causing it to turn on its fulcrum, and with it the hook at swings to look into the eye as shown and described. The rope is laid within the block by turning the hooks d d to the position shown in Fig. 2.

What I wish to secure by Letters Patent, and claim, is-

A snatch-block having outside and inside straps, e eff, secured to the block a b c at its bottom by means of a bolt or rivet, h, in combination with the hinged head d,journaled to the eye a, the swivel-hook d, and the selflocking hook or catch d, secured to the head d and adapted to look into the eyef, as and for the purpose set forth and described.

In testimony whereofl have afiixed my sig nature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS R. FERRALL. Witnesses:

ALBAN ANDREN, HENRY GHADBOURN. 

